Klay Thompson’s decision to leave the Warriors wasn’t an easy one.
The veteran point guard finally agreed to sign a three-year, $50 million contract with the Dallas Mavericks on Monday, ending his 13-year career with Golden State. But his departure from the only organization he’s known in the NBA hasn’t come without some tough conversations.
One of them was with his longtime teammate and Splash brother, Steph Curry.
With negotiations with the Warriors reportedly at a standstill in the final two weeks leading up to the start of free agency, Thompson spoke to Curry and asked the star point guard not to pressure Warriors management to re-sign Thompson, The Athletic’s Anthony Slater reported in a feature story Monday.
“The divorce has dragged on for five years, falling apart last season, then catching up earlier and finalizing in recent weeks, during which, according to league sources, Thompson notably asked Stephen Curry to not use his significant organizational influence and escalate the heat with management to secure Thompson’s return,” Slater wrote. “Curry’s measured tone, even if it changed the outcome of the dispute, would not change the authenticity of Joe Lacob and management’s genuine desire to get Thompson back.”
It appears his wish was granted as the Warriors have reportedly had very little communication with Thompson and his representatives over the past two weeks.
And now Thompson is gone.
Curry wields significant organizational influence and is often asked to approve big moves before management makes them, including Golden State’s unsuccessful pursuit of star forward Paul George, which he and longtime teammate Draymond Green both agreed to before George opted out of his contract with the Los Angeles Clippers and reportedly agreed to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Thompson made that difficult decision on his own and will now join Western Conference rivals Luka Dončić, Kyrie Irving and the Mavericks, where he will face Curry and the Warriors at least three times during the 2024-25 NBA season.
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